Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 78

Author: Hayden, Horace Edwin, 1837-1917; Hand, Alfred, 1835-; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921; Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1026

USA > Pennsylvania > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 78
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 78

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

His paternal grandfather was Peter Gregory, whose wife was a Miss Moss prior to her mar- riage. They were natives of Connecticut, from which state they removed to Delaware Valley, and finally, in 1790, to Shickshinny. His mater- nal grandfather was Truman Monroe, a de- scendant of a family connected with the Ransom family, the history of which dates back to the year 1760, at which time they emigrated to this country. Truman Monroe married Kaziah Franklin, and their children were: Eliza, born July 28, 1813: William S., born October 25, 1815 ; Samuel F., born May 5, 1817: Washing- ton, born in 1820; Sybil, born January 22, 1822; Mary, born March 31, 1825; Ransom, born Sep- tember 3, 1827, and Tarbel, born in 1829.

Nelson Gregory, father of William N. Greg- ory, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. He followed the quiet but useful calling of ag- riculture, and was a man of sterling qualities, respected and esteemed by all with whom he was brought in contact. He married Sybil Mon- roe, born January 22, 1822, daughter of Truman and Kaziah (Franklin) Monroe, and six chil- dren were the issue of this union, three of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Emma Keller, of Wilkes-Barre; Mrs. Ada Harnard, of Dorrance- town: and William N. Gregory.

William N. Gregory attended the common schools of his native town until fourteen years of age, when he went to Wilkes-Barre, and en- tered the employ of Mr. R. W. Haight as an apprentice to the trade of watchmaker. After three years' service he went to Bloomsburg and there completed his trade under the preceptor- ship of Mr. Lewis Bernard, a prominent and well known jeweler. Upon the completion of his apprenticeship he returned to Wilkes-Barre and continued at his trade there for one year. He then located in Scranton, but after a resi- dence of one year there, in 1880, moved to Nan- ticoke, where he established himself in business on a small scale. By a strict application to busi- ness principles he won the confidence of the public, and after a short period of time his busi- ness increased to such an extent that he was forced to remove to larger quarters. Year by year as his business increased he added to his stock of goods, and now ranks among the rep- resentative jewelers in the borough, being con- sidered by his numerous patrons as one of the

finest mechanics in Wyoming valley. Mr. Greg- ory is an active member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church of Nanticoke, in which he holds the office of trustee. He is a member of the Or- der of Heptasophs. He is a stanch Republican in his political views. Mr. Gregory married, March 1, 1880, Kate E. Bachman, a daughter of Thomas H. and Lena Bachman, of Wilkes- Barre. Three children were the issue of this marriage : Lena S., born 1881: Ralph B., 1883; and Mabel, now deceased. Mrs. Gregory, who was a consistent and active member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church of Nanticoke, died Oc- tober 12, 1902.

WILLIAM MORRISON CROTZER. Nan- ticoke numbers among her progressive citizens William Morrison Crotzer. He is a son of Thomas William Crotzer, who moved from Union county to Nanticoke in 1885, in which vear he was made postmaster, serving until 1889. His wife was Isabella Morrison, like himself a native of Union county, and their family con- sists of the following children: William Morri- son, mentioned at length hereafter: Charles H. ; Margaret Emma ; Annie, deceased ; and Isa- bella. Mr. Crotzer is now with the real estate firm of Wood, Harmon & Company.

William Morrison Crotzer, son of Thomas William and Isabella ( Morrison) Crotzer, was born December 18, 1872, in New Berlin, Union county, Pennsylvania, and was educated in the public schools of his native township and also in those of Nanticoke. In 1887 he began to learn the jeweler's trade, and since 1902 has been in business for himself. At his store can be ob- tained the finest clocks, watches and silverware, and he keeps also a full line of musical instru- ments. He has been for seventeen years a mem- ber of the Nanticoke fire department, and has filled all its offices up to that of chief. He is president of the Firemen's Relief Association. and is a member of Nanticoke Lodge. No. 541, F. and A. M., the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Order of Eagles. He also belongs to the I. O. O. F., No. 331, of Hughesville, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. Politically he is a Democrat, and in religious belief a Congre- gationalist. Mr. Crotzer married, April 7. 1897, Margaret A. Jacob, of Nanticoke, and of the three children born to them Thomas R. is the sole survivor.

JOHN J. KENNEDY, who is now ( 1905) serving in the capacity of tax collector for New- port township, is a native of Ireland, born in

Peter 'S. Hill.

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county West Meath, in 1848. His parents, John and Martha (McCormick) Kennedy, both de- ceased, were natives of county West Meath, Ireland. Their children were four in number : Thomas, John J., Mary, and Bridget. John J. was the only member of the family to emigrate to the United States.

The early education and training of John J. Kennedy was acquired in his native land, and in 1881 he turned his face westward to seek a new home and new friends in the United States. He came directly to Newport township, Pennsylvania, and turned his attention to mining, which he successfully followed up to 1889. He then engaged in the buying and selling of green groceries, which also proved a most profitable means of livelihood. In 1891 he engaged in an entirely different line of work, erecting two ho- tels and four dwelling houses, and in this en- terprise he also prospered exceedingly. Mr. Kennedy is a Democrat in politics and has been honored with the following offices; Postmaster of Alden from 1892 to 1897 ; supervisor and tax collector of Newport township in 1890, and at the present time ( 1905) tax collector of the same township, which office he has held for three years. Early obliged to become self-supporting, contact with the world developed in him the traits of energy, industry and determination that are among his prominent characteristics.

In August, 1873, in Wales, Mr. Kennedy was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Byron, who was born in Monmouthshire, Wales, in 1855. daughter of Thomas and Catherine Byron, na- tives of county Tipperary, Ireland, from whence they removed to Wales, where their deaths oc- curred. Mrs. Philip Carbarry, of Jessup ; Mrs. Thomas Magnier, of Jessup, and Mrs. John J. Kennedy, of Alden, are the only survivors of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Byron. Two chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy : Thomas, in Monmouthshire, England, who was accidentally killed at No. 2 shaft, Alden, Penn- sylvania, December 25, 1897, and John M., in Yorkshire, England, a graduate of Stroudsburg State Normal School, class of 1900, and an able and accomplished school teacher in Newport township. In 1905 John M. Kennedy married Miss Mary Flaherty, daughter of James and Margaret Flaherty, of Sugar Notch, Pennsyl- vania, and had one daughter, Mary, born May 16. 1905.

MILL FAMILY. John Mill, Sr., was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1730, and removed to Hanover township, Luzerne county,

with his family in 1802. He and his brother took an active part in the Revolutionary war, the latter being killed in said struggle. Among the children born to John Mill was a son, John Mill, Jr. John Mill, Sr., died July 2, 1814.

John Mill, Jr., was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1765, accompanied his father to Hanover township in 1802, and died January 26, 1840. By his marriage to Catherine Klinker the following named children were born: I. Mary, who became the wife of Henry Anheuser. 2. Peter, mentioned hereafter. 3. George, who married Elizabeth Line and they reared a fam- ily of six children : Henry, Peter, Charles, Frank, Sylvester, and Mary. 4. Solomon. 5. John. 6. Catharine. John Mill, Jr., father of these children, was one of the large land owners in Hanover township, his estate covering six hun- dred acres. A portion of this land is still in the possession of the family, two of his grandchil- dren residing on the same.

Peter Mill, son of John Mill, Jr., and his wife Catherine Klinker, was born January I, 1800. He married Mary A. Keithline, born Feb- ruary 7, 1818, and their children were as fol- lows: I. Sarah E., now deceased, who became the wife of Melmont Luke, now deceased, and they were the parents of one son, Loren Mill Luke, who married Emilie Loveland, and they were the parents of one son, Loveland Luke, who died July 31, 1898. Loren Mill Luke died Oc- tober 14, 1898; Emilie Loveland Luke died Oc- tober 14, 1898. 2. Peter S., unmarried. 3. Sa- mantha J., unmarried. 4. Mary A., deceased. Peter Mill, father of these children, died March 27, 1871 ; his wife died August 12, 1895.

The Keithline family, of which Mrs. Peter Mill was a member, date their settlement in America to a period previous to the Revolution- ary war. Three brothers, Peter, Charles, Sr., and Andrew, participated in the Revolutionary war, the former named having been commis- sioned colonel of a regiment, and he performed some valiant service for the infant republic. Charles Keithline, Sr., afore mentioned, was the father of five sons, namely: Jacob, Charles, Jo- seph, John and Andrew. Jacob resided near the city of Philadelphia, and his sons were William, Dr. Peter, and Dr. Charles; John resided in the city of Philadelphia. Andrew Keithline, son of Charles Keithline, Sr., was born January 12, 1782, died October 28, 1859. His wife, Eve (Smith) Keithline, born March 8, 1781, died February 15, 1864, was a daughter of George Smith, a soklier in the Revolutionary war, who lost a leg on the field of battle. Their children

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were: Jane, born February 8, 1804; Susannah, born March 20, 1806: Sarah, born August 25. 1808; Lydia, born December 16, 1810; Eliza- beth, born April 9, 1813: Charles, born May 3, 1815: Mary A., born February 7. 1818, afore- mentioned as the wife of Peter Mill; and Mar- garet. born January 3, 1821.

THOMAS D. LLOYD, assistant mine fore- man for the Susquehanna Coal Company, at Nanticoke, which responsible position he has filled in a creditable manner since 1892, a period of thirteen years, is a native of South Wales, born January 11, 1856, a son of John and Mar- garet (Jones) Lloyd, both natives of Wales. John Lloyd ( father), who came to this country in 1879, his family following in 1880, was a miner by occupation. He died in 1881. his wid- ow passed away in 1894. Their family consisted of the following named children : David, Thomas D., Elias, Sarah, Mary A .. married William Price, now deceased ; John and Margaret.

Thomas D. Lloyd was. reared in his native town, and at the early age of nine years, when the majority of children are acquiring an edu- cation, he began to work about the mines. When eleven years of age he was introduced into the mines and at the age of fifteen became a miner, serving in that capacity in his native country up to 1880, in which year he emigrated to the United States. On reaching the friendly shores of this great and glorious country he located at Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, where he engaged with the Susquehanna Coal Company. No opening being ready for him he was placed in the mines as a laborer. but after two months was promoted to miner, which vocation he followed for twelve years. During this period of time he was con- fined to narrow gangways which proved to be extremely gasseous, but met with no evil results, yet he experienced some slight accidents. In 1892 he was promoted to assistant mine fore- man, or fire boss. The duties of this office is to examine the mines at least three hours before the men go to work in order to see that no gas or imperfect roof or any other canse which would endanger the life of the miner exists in the mines. His place is to report all such on a blank prepared by law for that purpose. His disregard of these duties would endanger both life and property, and therefore it is absolutely important that the most experienced and trust- worthy men be chosen for this position, for which they must pass a rigid examination for fitness and ability. Twelve years he has walked his rounds in the deep and damp mine at a depth

of from six to fifteen hundred feet, with the watchful eye of a sentinel on guard, to sec that no lurking gas or loose rock may endanger the life of his fellow miner. The particular shaft to which Mr. Lloyd is attached is No. 2, the depth of which is six hundred feet. He has been connected with the production of coal for twenty-four years, and therefore thoroughly un- derstands mining in all its branches. He served two seperate terms on the examining board of the fourth district of miners.

Mr. Lloyd, like most of the natives of Wales. is a singer of some note. He instructs pupils in vocal music for their various parts in chorus and choir singing as well as for solos and in- dividual parts. He is an adept in this art and has followed it for his own pleasure for a quar- ter of a century. During his residence in Nanti- coke Mr. Lloyd has invested his savings in real estate and is now the owner of two houses, in one of which he and his family reside. His po- litical views coincide with those of the Repub- lican party, and he is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Improved Order of Red Men. He has served as delegate to the Repub- lican county convention.

Mr. Lloyd married, March 15, 1880, Annie T. Jones, a daughter of John and Martha T. Jones. Four children were the issue of this mar- rage, all of whom are deceased. They have, however, an adopted daughter, Annie L. Lloyd.

HARRY SIMPSON. Probably few men, even in patriotic Carbon county, can congratu- late themselves upon the possession of an an- cestry so eminently devoted to the service of their country as that which Harry Simpson, of Peckville, is entitled to claim. During the war of the Revolution his forefathers on both sides served as soldiers in the Continental army. and their descendants at the time of the Civil war were enrolled in the ranks of those who fought for the 'preservation of the Union. The part borne by his father's family during the latter conflict was of peculiar and somewhat unusual distinction, a number of the men taking up arms, while more than one of the women ministered to the sick and wounded. The Simpsons are of English blood, the Carbon county branch of the race having been founded by the great-great- grandfather of Mr. Simpson.

William T. Simpson, grandson of the emi- grant ancestor. married Anna M. Horton, who came of old Revolutionary stock, and their fam- ily consisted of five sons and two daughters : George W .. mentioned hereafter : William, Bush-

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rod, John S., A. J., Amelia and Margaret. All are deceased except John S. During the Civil war all these sons fought in the United States army, while the daughter Amelia was engaged in relief work in the United States arsenal. The mother of the family was at the same time the inspirer of the patriotic spirit by which her chil- men were animated and their leader in self-sac- r.ficing service to their country. While her sons were in the field she took charge of a hospital cu shipboard and gave freely of her time and strength to the Union cause. She was honored with the friendship of President Lincoln, from whom she received many kind tokens of appre- ciation of her work. After her death she was interred in the Government cemetery at Wash- ington, District of Columbia, as a tribute of respect.

George W. Simpson, son of William T. and Anna M. (Horton) Simpson, was born in 1821, and learned the trade of carpenter and builder, which he followed until the outbreak of the Civil war. He then organized Company I, Sixty- seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, of which he became captain. He served four years and was always one of the most dar - ing and courageous men in the regiment. His bravery was tested, not only on the battlefield, but by the more severe ordeal of captivity. At the battle of Winchester he fell into the hands of the enemy, and for twenty-one months lan- guished in the various prisons of the south. At the close of the war he was released and lion- orably discharged by the government. On his return to civil life he resumed the work of a contractor and builder, which he conducted suc- cessfully until advancing years obliged him to rest from his labors.

Capt. G. W. Simpson married Louise, born in 1827, daughter of Abraham and Mahala Hor- ton. The former, who carried on an extensive business in Wilkes-Barre, was the descendant of Revolutionary soldiers, and the latter was a native of Philadelphia. Of the ten children born to Captain and Mrs. Simpson the follow- ing are living : Emma A., wife of J. C. Roberts, Jr. : William T .; Anna M., wife of F. P. Det- willer : Mahala, wife of W. W. Davenport ; Laura K., wife of J. W. Good; George W., Jr .; Jolin H., and Harry, mentioned hereafter. Will- iam T. Simpson inherited a full share of the mar- tial and patriotic spirit of his ancestors. At the age of thirteen he enlisted as a drummer boy in Company A, Twenty-eighth Regiment, Penn- sylvania Volunteer Artillery. He was under the command of General Geary, which is equivalent

to saying that he was always in the hottest of the fight. At the end of three years he was honorably discharged, but re-enlisted and was promoted to the post of chief musician. Captain Simpson, brave soldier, upright citizen and hon- orable man, died in 1903, at the age of eighty- two, and his faithful wife expired the same year, being then seventy-six years of age.

Harry Simpson, son of George W. and Louise (Horton) Simpson, was born January 13, 1857, at Munch Chunk, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, and obtained his education in the common schools of his native town. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for eight years. In 1875 he moved to Luzerne county, settling at Nanticoke, where he secured a po- sition as foreman under Superintendent G. T. Morgan, at the Susquehanna colleries. There he remained for the long period of fifteen years, during which time he gave entire satisfaction to his employers. He then engaged with the Stevens Coal Company, of Pittston, filling the same position. After remaining there a short time he removed in 1891 to Peckville, and en- tered the service of the Blue Ridge Coal Com- pany, filling in a masterly manner the office of foreman. At the end of seven years this com- pany was purchased by the Scranton Coal Com- pany, to which organization he was transferred and from which he received the position of fore- man at the Ontario colliery. This is an ex- tremely responsible office, involving the superin- tendence and control of three hundred men, and the manner in which Mr. Simpson has discharged the trust proves him to be possessed of no or- dinary degree of executive ability and fair- mindedness. As a citizen Mr. Simpson is active and public-spirited. Since coming to reside in the borough of Blakely he has held the office of school director for three terms. He is a member of Oriental Star Lodge, No. 588. Free and Accepted Masons. His political affiliations are with the Republican party.

Mr. Simpson married in 1881, Mary A., daughter of Charles Meyers, of Hazleton, Penn- sylvania, and five children have been born to them, three of whom are living: Le Roy C., Eugene R., and Jennie L.

JOHN THOMAS CARTWRIGHT. Nan- ticoke has no more useful citizen than John Thomas Cartwright. He is a son of Reuben Cartwright, who was born in England, and in 1879 emigrated to the United States. He set- tled first in Illinois, but in 1880 decided to make his home in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, where he

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

was joined by his family the same year. For a number of years he was in the service of the Susquehanna Coal Company, working in vari- ous capacities, and for seventeen years holding the position of fire-boss. He has partially aban- doned the coal business and is now a practical optician.

Reuben Cartwright married Aluze, daughter of Mark and Elizabeth (Ashman) Hill, both na- tives of England, who landed in this country November 20, 1886. Mr. Hill's calling was that of a gardener. He and his wife were the parents of the following children, all of whom were born in England : Aluze, born November 24, 1847, became the wife of Reuben Cartwright, as men- tioned above ; Charlotte, born June, 1849 ; Enoch, born June, 1851 ; Joseph, born February, 1855; Alfred, born October, 1857; Mary, born 1861 ; and Cecilia, born November 16, 1865. Mr. Hill died November 24, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Cart- wright were the parents of nine children, three of whom are living: John Thomas, mentioned at length hereinafter, and two daughters, Sarah Ellen, married to Thomas Morgan, and Eliza- beth Ann, wife of Urban Sorber.

John Thomas Cartwright, son of Reuben and Aluze (Hill) Cartwright, was born November 29, 1867, in Monmouthshire, England, and was thirteen years old when the family came to this country. He entered the service of the Susque- hanna Coal Company as a door-boy, from which position he advanced step by step until he was placed on the civil engineer corps, and was finally made borough surveyor, a position which he still holds. To prepare himself for this advance- ment he took a special course in the Interna- tional Correspondence School at Scranton, from which institution he graduated with honor. In 1902 he was made mine foreman of colliery No. 5. in which responsible capacity he is still serv- ing, having six hundred men under his charge. He is a member of Nanticoke Lodge, No. 541. Free and Accepted Masons, Valley Chapter. No. 214, and Dieu Le Veut Commandery, Knights Templar, No. 45. He also belongs to Irem Tem- ple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre, and to John Bunyan Com- mandery, Knights of Malta, No. 24. In politics he is an ardent Republican.

Mr. Cartwright married, August 21, 1887, Harriet Gardner, of Nanticoke, and they are the parents of the following children: Thomas S., born March 10, 1890; Matilda, born October 28, 1892; William, born October 19, 1896; Elsie, born April 14, 1898; Marjorie, born April 9. 1901 ; and John, born September 12, 1904. Mrs.

Cartwright is the only child of James and Louise Gardner, and was born August 7, 1869, in Som- ersetshire, England. She came to this country in October, 1884, with her parents, who are res . idents of Nanticoke.

IRA HOADLEY COLLINS, yard master for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which office he has held for a decade, it being one of great responsibility and requiring his undivided attention, is a native of Beach Haven. Salem township, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, born July 6. 1862, a son of John and Elizabeth E. (McGraw) Collins, and grandson of Michael Collins, who was one of the pioneers of the Wyo- ming valley. John Collins (father) was one of a family of four children-Thomas, Michael, Catherine, and John-and his birth occurred in Plymouth township. He was a brickmaker by trade, which line of work he followed for many years ; he devoted considerable time to boating. and for several years later in life served as out- side foreman of the Susquehanna Coal Com- pany's mines at Nanticoke. His wife, Elizabeth E. (McGraw) Collins, who was a native of Sa- lem township, bore him four children : Florence E., Thomas N., Ira H .. and Ellen, who died in infancy.

Ira H. Collins was reared and educated in his native town up to his eighth year. In early life he secured employment with the Susque- hanna Coal Company, first as slate picker, next as driver outside around the mines, and then driver four years in the mines. The following three years he gave his attention to farming in Columbia county. March 14. 1885, he engaged as brakeman on the Pennsylvania Railroad at Nanticoke, was promoted to conductor Novem- ber 23, 1885, which position he held for nine years, four of which he was in Wilkes-Barre ; became assistant yard master March 10, 1893. at Nanticoke, and was appointed yard master his present position, October 1, 1894. His supervision extends over forty-five miles of track, which takes in the yard at Nan- ticoke, and his jurisdiction extends from Wilkes-Barre to Mocanaqua, all trains with the exception of scheduled trains, also sixty em- ployees. Mr. Collins is thoroughly acquainted with his office and its complex and intricate workings, and enjoys the full confidence of his employers. His views on politics coincide with the principles of the Democratic party, but in local affairs he votes an independent ticket. Mr. Collins is a member of the Brotherhood of Lo- comotive Conductors, and the Patriotic Order

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

Sons of America. On July 7, 1887, Mr. Collins married Hattie E. Oplinger, daughter of James H. and Mary Ann Oplinger. Their children are : Ethel A., Charles R., Lorin L., Harry F., Marie S., and Ira H., Jr.

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Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 78

Author: Hayden, Horace Edwin, 1837-1917; Hand, Alfred, 1835-; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921; Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1906 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 1026

Author: Hayden, Horace Edwin, 1837-1917; Hand, Alfred, 1835-; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921; Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1026